The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-03
HRS. RRED VANDERBILT
KAKES HER DEBUT AS A PUB.
Lie FINGER
For "Sweet Charity's Sake''-The
Fashion Of Physical Sport
all the Rage.

progressive euchre party at the luxu-
rious residence OF the Wsldo,ff Astors
this week, and ii differed from ordi-
nary occasions Of the sort only as one
star differs from another in efiulgence.
That Is to say, everything WIS in
very high degree Of good taste and uu-
strained luxury. Tnething worth men,
ioniDg especially was the introduction
OF new method of registering won
games. 1t Is an awful fact, to be set
do sn against the moral sense OF fash
iopable women, that they have small
conception OF horelt gambling, even
though the stalks be trophies OF vic
tory more beautiful than valuable, and
the place be the poiitest imaginable
psilor. They will usually cheat, when
ever and however they get a chance.
The pleasures Of progressive euch Q, a.
you doubtless have experienced, are
too often marred by brfzen dis
hol esiy. Tho women will beg rib.
bons or tsga, or whatever serves TO
n ark the number OF games won, and
the susceptible men will accede; and
20 il often happens that the ablest
wheedler comes out first prz, win.
ner against better and luckier players.
Well, at the Astor party simple pre-
ventalive OF cheating was provided in
q sst OF punches. One OF these put q
round hole in q card for ordinary
games won; another recorded q vic
tory at the head table with q crescent,
while q third made square clips for
the BOBBY table. The punching was
done by the hostess, and 80 each con-
tettant's card was an unaltei abe reg
istry.
While much ado is being made
about the nothing OF Mrs. James
Brown Potter's stage debut, the sp-
peGrance of Mrs. Fred Vanderbilt as a
public vocalist has been overlooked.
But 1t was not SYSTEMATICALLY done,
ard II was not meant az the beginning
of footlight career. The ladies OF
the family are thoroughly interested
in ch arities. Bishop Potter tells US
that, collectively, they do not disburse
leBs than half o million a year, not TAX
ing into account the several heavy en-.
dowmeuts of institutions that the
Vanderbilts have made. 1t will be Of
no use for any reader Of this fact to
forward begging letters to them, be-
cause they give only to such causes ss
they know all about, and pay no at.
tention TO solicitations from strangers.
Mrs. Fred Vanderbilt'e pet benevo.
leuco is q sewing chool for poor girls.
Over in Stanton street, which runs
through the thick est tenement dis
triot OF the town, she maintains a
house wherein girls are welcome TO
the services OF competent needle
women, fnd where they can ft them.
selves for domestic sewing or chop
work. 1t vas here that che sspg She
gave musical entertainment for the
pupils, their mothers, and a score OF
invited friends. The assemblage was
exclusively feminine, even to the per-
formers. Songs were sung, different
instruments were played, and refr c ih-
ments were afterwards served. Mira.
Vanderbilt sang Coming Through the
Rye" and "Annie LSurie," very
sweetly, indeed, and to tumultous ap.
plause.
Exquisite audiences are apt to ba
more critical OF Its own members,
than at the persons az the other side
Of the footliehts. This was heard at
an amateur concert:
"This Is insuferable, WHISPERED one
woman to another.
80, / thought the singing was rather
clever" was the reply.
III didn't refer to the performances"
the first explained, "but to the obnox
ions people around us. There's a girl
with dreadful inharmonious green and
purple in her hat. Over this way is q
horror OF a misflt in bodices. And
yonder, SEES that delicate pink saliu,
Just killed by the red of the hair that
hangs down on it,"
Who shall say that taste 10 not ex-
acting at amateur ente, tainments.
Our very modish girls, of the 80.
which gives itself up considerably 10
physical sportp, has really glne into
E!;::S,iSSiiDg spIritsdly. Although no
longer OF value for Its original pur.
poses, fencing will ever remain I'M
equsled among mauly Sftris as an
exercise develo ping quick movement,
erect carriage, graceful posture, and
complete accord OF eye, hand and loot
II can never again be popular with the
masses, but will continue to be studied
and practices by select few, and es-
pecially by III lse who, tn hiking them
selves better than their fellows, wish
30 DO peculiar In their sports as in ev
erything else. Failure to appreciate
the fact has led several swordsmen 10
waste time, labor and money in futile
temps to enlist popular sympathy
and obtsin support from the general
public, but these misguided professors
have one after another been starved
out and RS egstsi 10 othsT methods Of
gaining a live ihood, and our extetiDg
fencing masters adopt more sensible
methods-do not try to thrust their
game down the throats of people who
do not understand or appreciate it,hut
rather cater only to the chosen few,
avoid publicity and make their school
exclusive and expensive, maneged in
the way they can live, and do live.
In addition 10 its public or semi.pub.
lie academies, New York City has 8
fencing club, whose membership will
include the names OF many fashionable
women, which has lis own building
its own professor, and occasionally
give private entertainments open only
to invited guests. The ladies who &C
cepted these invitations, and enjoyed
the sport were quick to see that THU
was above all, and the game
II exercised most suited Il
women-a tonic for both body and
mind-a psnacea for all sorts OF com
plaints-a sport whose practice was
not emily enj ysble but extremely fas,
cinatiDg and whose result gave roses
to the cheek, FIRE to the eye, supple
ness to the joints, strength and 1.-THE
ness to the limbs, dignity TO the car
risgs, gracefulnetB to every movement
lin 'act, almost everything that Il
lacking in the physical development
OF the average American woman. Ant
these ladies, one by one, found som(
fencing school, procured clothinS
which, while both neat and modest
allowed full play to all the muscles
and are today the most attentive anC
moet enthusiastic pupils in all oul
schools.
Tuxedo is a question with our rich
est and most fashionable folks. Shal